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itControl Solutions Preps Channel Moves, CAKE Launch

itControl Solutions, developer of the itControl Suite platform for managed services providers, will make some channel strategy moves in the next few weeks. Plus, the company's new CAKE remote management and monitoring platform seems to be at or nearing its official launch. Here's the update.

On the channel front, some sources speculate itControl Solutions plans to work exclusively through Master MSPs and distributors like Synnex. But David Toms, senior VP of global sales and marketing, says otherwise.

In an email exchange, Toms indicates it's not accurate to say itControl Solutions will only work with Master MSPs and distributors. Instead, he offers up this clue about where the company is heading next:

"itControl Solutions Inc., plans to deliver a scalable channel strategy that will cater to the needs of Small, Medium and Enterprise level Managed Services Providers, Enterprise level VARs, and Tier1/Tier2 Hardware and Software OEM strategic partners. Our model for developing and managing these relationships will be a balance of both direct and indirect engagements as it relates to the size and scope of the partnerships."

MSPmentor will be watching and listening for more clues.

Out of the Oven?

Meanwhile, early chatter on CAKE -- the next itControl Suite release -- sounds positive among beta testers and MSPs briefed by the company. CAKE is "super ambitious" in terms of the overall product scope, says one source.

Another MSP says itControl Suite has started production CAKE rollouts with selected customers, though some MSPs are taking a wait-and-see approach because CAKE represents a major architectural upgrade from the previous itControl Suite offering. I've got a separate email into Toms to get an update on where CAKE stands.

No doubt, 2010 has been the year of major product upgrades from many RMM (remote monitoring and management) tool providers. Along the way, many providers have re-evaluated their pricing and licensing models to help ensure MSPs can properly digest the licenses they take on.

We'll be watching to see how itControl Solutions positions CAKE in the weeks ahead.